Ravens camp highlights for July 31, 2013

Pictures of the Ravens game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.

Jeff Zrebiec, The Baltimore Sun

SETTING THE SCENE: After taking a break Tuesday, the Ravens returned to the practice field Wednesday for a workout that started at 2:30 p.m. and ended just before 5 p.m. It was an overcast sky throughout the workout. Players were in full pads.

TAKING OFFENSE: For most of training camp, the Ravens' defense has gotten the better of the offense by a comfortable margin, but that changed in a big way Wednesday. Quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Tyrod Taylor repeatedly found open wide receivers streaking down the field. Tight ends Ed Dickson and Matt Furstenburg (Maryland) caught long touchdown passes while getting very little resistance. Flacco's best throw of the day, however, was to Jacoby Jones, who sprinted past Corey Graham and caught the pass in stride. Big plays on offense were few and far between early in camp, but not Wednesday.

GETTING AFTER IT: Third-year wide receiver Torrey Smith rarely raises his voice in practice, so it was pretty surprising that he was involved in the day's lone physical altercation, albeit a minor one. Smith battled with Chykie Brown all practice, and the third-year cornerback clearly got under his skin. Apparently convinced that Brown was holding him on one play, Smith issued a stern warning to the cornerback, followed by a two-handed push. The dialogue continued as safety Michael Huff stepped in front of the two to make sure the situation didn't escalate.

"ORNERY JOE": Flacco has been vocal throughout training camp, but he was in rare form Wednesday, taking on all comers — including those on the offensive side of the ball. The normally mild-mannered quarterback let loose one expletive-laden rant, seemingly in the direction of safety James Ihedigbo. He also got on cornerback Chykie Brown a few times. Smith and Jones also drew the quarterback's ire for quitting on a route and dropping a ball, respectively.

IN GOOD HANDS: For a guy who has been criticized for dropping too many passes in the past, Ed Dickson has been pretty sure-handed in training camp. Dickson may have had his best practice Wednesday, catching pretty much everything thrown in his direction. Dickson may not be able to fully replace the injured Dennis Pitta, but he certainly appears primed for a breakout year.

CATCH OF THE DAY: Third-year wide receiver Tandon Doss continued to build his camp resume with a sterling one-handed grab of a Flacco pass. A couple of plays later, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe nearly pulled off something similar, but he couldn't corral the ball.

WITHIN HIS RANGE: Ravens coach John Harbaugh is always looking to challenge kicker Justin Tucker, so it didn't seem like a leap when he allowed him to try a 71-yard field goal. The kick was on line but about five yards short. Moments later, Tucker lined up for a 61-yarder, and he put it through the uprights with room to spare. The kick prompted linebacker Terrell Suggs to put his arms in the air and say, "Ravens win. I can't live with that." Harbaugh joked after the practice that he was disappointed Tucker missed from 71 yards, suggesting the kicker should hit the weight room.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT ME: Quietly, Anthony Levine appears to be working his way up the Ravens' depth chart at safety. Levine, who played one game for the Ravens last year before going on injured reserve, has been lining up with the second-team defense and playing pretty well. Huff, Ihedigbo and rookie Matt Elam are entrenched as the top three safeties, likely leaving one extra spot. With Christian Thompson facing a four-game suspension to start the season, Levine may have the inside track.

INJURY REPORT: Three wide receivers — Tommy Streeter (heat-related), LaQuan Williams (bruised shoulder) and Marlon Brown (knee) — returned to the field after missing several days of practice. Among those still missing were offensive linemen Marshal Yanda (shoulder), Ramon Harewood (knee) and Ryan Jensen (foot), and linebacker Jameel McClain (spine). Rookie cornerback Marc Anthony didn't finish the practice after suffering a shoulder strain.

OVERHEARD: "You got no God dang clue back there." — Exasperated defensive coordinator Dean Pees to his secondary after rookie wide receiver Aaron Mellette was left wide open on a long catch.